Soviet Cancels Pilgrimage of Chassidim to Grave of Bratzlaver Rabbi

September 18, 1958

JERUSALEM (Sep. 17)

Ten Bratzlaver chassidim, who had completed all the formalities for a pilgrimage to the grave of Rabbi Nachman Bratzlaver, one of the founders of the Chassidic movement, at Uman in the Ukraine, had their hopes dashed at the last minute. The Soviet Embassy in Tel Aviv, which originally promised to grant them visas, informed them today that Uman is not included on the itinerary of foreign visitors to the USSR.

The chassidim had applied for permission to undertake the tour in time for Rosh Hashanah and, when permission did not come, had hoped to make the trip by Yom Kippur. The Israel Treasury had allocated them $300 each in foreign currency to defray the expenses of their pilgrimage.